Wednesday, August 20, 2008

This is Part Two of an instructional we posted a few days ago. Once you've made the Autumn Leaf soaps (Part One of the Instructional), you can then make an 8-bar slab tray of Fall soaps. We show you how in our instructional pictorial below. Let me tell you that the Apple Autumn scent is out of this world! If you've not yet ordered this fragrance for your Fall soap line-up, we suggest you do. It's available at GoPlanetEarth.com and just happens to be on special this week.

The soaps have been released from the Mold Market mold (Item #079) and are ready to cut. These make the most awesome holiday gifts. Tie a bundle with some natural raffia... and you've got a gift that will not only please, but smells wonderfully delicious.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

For those living in the East and Midwest, Fall is just around the corner. The wonderous smells of Fall evoke a host of childhood memories. I made these soaps in an Apple Autumn scent (a specialty blend of GoPlanetEarth.com). The day after these soaps were made, my staff came into work and wanted to know what that "awesome" smell was in the work room. It was the Apple Autumn fragrance.

As much as I hate to see summer end, I also look forward to the glorious Indian Summers that Michigan is known for. We have a put together a pictorial video of how to make our Autumn soaps. You will want to snatch up a Mold Market Maple Leaf mold for this project. It has fabulous depth for the various color pours.

Soap colors are all available from GoPlanetearth.com. We used several of the mineral oxides and addeded some 24-kt gold mica for shimmer. Look for another post (coming soon) on how these soaps were sliced to make another gorgeous Fall soap.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

I would love to take credit for this creative display of bath puffs. But, I can't. This wreath was made as a gift (by a friend) for Linda Nigro from Soapier.com.

Note the bath salts and shower gel attached to the wreath. I love the Santa in the tub. I'm guessing that the words "Soapier" were done with puffy paint or something similar. The clear iridiscent mini ornaments (used as bubbles) can be found at most discount stores during the holiday season. We're going to making a few ourselves and we'll post about it as we complete the project.

Did you note how the little bag of bath salts and shower gel were integrated into the design? The santa is an ornament positioned in a miniature bath tub. How cute!

"I wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your blog. I've been making M&P soap since 1999 and feel that I'm pretty experienced in it but your blog has taught me a thing or two... Again thank you for a great informative blog for this addicted soapmaker."

I met the woman behind this post, Linda Nigro, and fell in love with her web site soapier.com. I've pictured a few of her soaps in this post, but you really must pay a visit to her site. It's inspiring as is the interview she so kindly granted. Read below how Linda got started in the biz and glean business insight from a pro.

Denise: What about soap making intrigued you enough to turn it into a real business?

Linda: I'm a 59 year old and for as long as I could remember I just wanted to make something that others would buy. Back in 99 I started looking at message boards for different crafts and came upon the soapmaking forum. I really wanted to do cp but was a bit afraid of the lye (at the time I was in a small apartment) So I started doing m/p and haven't looked back since. It's a wonderful way to be creative and release those desires.

Denise: Businesses generally evolve. What evolutionary processes have you gone through to be where you're at today?

Linda: I could write an essay on this. I'm still evolving and besides learning about business you end up learning so much about yourself. In the beginning I did wholesale and I thought it was the way to go today I find it very difficult and time spent reproducing soaps leaves little time for creating. So now I'm cutting down on wholesale and doing more creating. One thing personally I've learned is that even if you think you are doing what you love (creating soap) I wasn't because of demands on production.

Denise: What advice do you have for others just starting out in business, or those wanting to start their own product lines?

Linda: Be clear on what you want to do. I believe very very strongly that the desire we have in our heart (for me was to create) is what we should be doing. Then find a way to do it that it will bring income. Don't be fooled and follow the $ first follow your heart. I followed the wholesale because of the bigger dollar and for quite a few years got tied up in it and lost what I loved to do.

Denise: What kinds of start up costs are involved in owning a soap making business?

Linda: You can start very small and then use your earning to add to it. Recognize if you become addicted to things Iike I did. I have about every color there is out there, plus a really really large inventory of fragrance oils. This cuts into your cash flow.

Denise: What makes your company unique?

Linda: No matter how many steps there are to making a soap I'll still do it for the creativeness of it. I want to be known for wonderful looking soaps that make you smile.

Denise: What’s the hardest part about running your own business?

Linda: Wearing every hat. You are the marketing person, the cleaning woman, the advertising expert, the bookkeeper, etc

Denise: What thoughts would you like to leave our readers with?

Linda: Love what you do, that's what we should be doing. It's wonderful to get up in the morning and be happy to get to work.

Denise: Thanks, Linda. I certainly wish you continued success! Your an inspiration to many aspiring soapers.

Saturday, August 09, 2008

We have recently added a Glossary of Soap Terms to GoPlanetEarth's Resource page. It's just another one of the many ways GoPlanet is working to provide our customers with the necessary tools of the trade. If you'd like to see other terms added, please let us know.

Not only does Mold Market offers top quality soap molds, but they are also a strong supporter of the soap making industry in general. Their support includes the Handcrafted Soap Makers Guild (HSMG), Novi Studio, Saponifier magazine and a host of annual soap making conferences & events throughout the US. Best yet, all Mold Market molds are made in the USA. Here is their commitment to USA manufacturing:

"Mold Market is committed to providing jobs for American workers and to supporting domestic manufacturers and suppliers. Our molds are American made and we are proud of this fact.Mold Market molds are produced in United State factories. Many mold companies in the industry have moved production overseas to take advantage of low labor costs and generally cheaper production and material costs. We are saddened to find that some companies are advertising "Made in the USA" when this is not true. Mold Market elects to provide jobs to the U.S. workforce despite the competition from lower cost imports.

We hope that you will support us in our effort to provide high quality designer molds for discriminating consumers desiring U.S products."

Currently, GoPlanetEarth is offering a special. Purchase 7 or more Mold Market molds and we'll include a FREE eco-friendly, reuseable tote bag in your shipment. The bag is perfect for the beach, groceries, or the gym. Get yours while quantites last.

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

This was the question my husband recently asked when he noticed I was wearing a toe ring. I had been to the salon earlier for a pedicure and was talking to the staff about purchasing a toe ring. I felt a bit apprehensive about wearing a toe ring and they quickly reassured me that plenty of middle-aged women are wearing toe rings and to "go for it". My nail tech recommended a local establishment for the purchase and here you have it. I bought three. A dragonfly (pictured), a plain silver ring, and a faceted flower.

My husband wasn't quite sure what had happened to his wife as it's not something I would normally even consider purchasing, much less wearing. He was actually quite delighted. And no, you won't find me wearing a belly button ring!! At my age, you have to draw the line somewhere and that's DEFINITELY the line for me. I'll leave navel piercing to the younger generation.

You trust Go Planet Earth soap making supplies to provide safe products, and we take that responsibility very seriously. That's why we want to give you an update on recent legislation aimed at increasing the safety of children's products.

Among other things, the new legislation strengthens rules for lead content and phthalates (a chemical used in plastic) in children's products, mandates third-party testing and provides more resources for the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the federal agency that will implement the new requirements. The vendors and manufacturers that we work with have taken an active role in the legislative process by working with members of Congress and the retail and toy industries, all with the goal of strengthening the safety of children's products in the United States. Since we sell a good number of rubber ducks and other toy embeds for soap making projects, we wanted you to be assured that

100% of our toy products are tested before they ship to us. We do not authorize shipment of products unless they meet federal safety requirements.

The toy products we sell are tested by one of the world's largest independent consumer product testing laboratories.

You can be confident that I am focused on the safety of our products and are doing all we can to ensure the safety of children.